The Dallas Mavericks did not have wing Tim Hardaway Jr. at their disposal for Tuesday's game versus the Oklahoma City Thunder due to the hamstring injury that he sustained during Sunday's 108-95 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. But while it appears Hardaway will have a somewhat extended absence, head coach Rick Carlisle noted that what occurred was a best-case scenario.
“My understanding is we dodged a bullet,” Carlisle said, per Dwain Price of Mavs.com. “It could have been much worse. I guess it's day-to-day until further notice.”
Hardaway left Sunday's game after just seven minutes of action. He was making his 19th consecutive start after having entered the starting five back on Nov. 20, a stretch which has seen him average 16.2 points per game, getting a short-term boost from Luka Doncic's previous absence due to an ankle injury. While Hardaway's scoring average has dipped to 13.7 PPG this year, he is averaging 2.6 makes from behind the three-point line on a nightly basis and shooting 38.2 from behind the arc, both of which are on pace to set new career highs.
In the midst of his first full season with Dallas after a mid-season deal from New York earlier in 2019, Hardaway also holds a player option for 2020-21 that will pay him nearly $19 million. In short, his long-term health remains paramount over December/January contests.
Without Hardaway in the mix, Jalen Brunson stepped into the starting five Tuesday. The Mavericks return home Thursday for a matchup versus the Brooklyn Nets, which presents Hardaway's next opportunity for returning to the floor.
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